PUKEKAWA TRAGEDY

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 56, 30 November 1920, Page 9

PUKEKAWA TRAGEDY

. SECOND TRIAL OF THORN. ; Bv Telegraph—Press Association. ' Auckland, November 29. The second trial of Samuol John Thorn on ,i charge of having murdered Sydney Seymour Eyro, farmer, who was shot dead iu bed at. I'ukekawit oil the night of August 24 begun at Auckland Supreme Oburt. to-day, before Mr. Justieo Chapman. Tho lirst trial, which occupied five • days,' from Monday, Novojiiber. 15, and was held before tlio Chief Justice, Sir Robert Stout, resulted in the jury failing to ugreo. A jury panel numbering 120 attonded tlio Coiift this mor/iing, and the selection of tho "twelve good men' mid true" occupied about <10 minutes. Altogether 62 names we're called, and 42 jurymen were instructed Jiy the' Crown , to "stand aside," sjx others were excused from attendance mainly on medical grounds, and two who applied for release but wore refused by the Judge were challenged on behalf of the prisoner,' The Crown case was in the hands of Mr. J. C, Martin and Mr. R. P. Hunt, and the defonce was conducted by Mr. 11. A. Singer, Mr. 0. 13. Stout, and Mr. 'W. .T. Gatenby. Mr. E. W. M. Oliver watched the proceedings on behalf of Mrs. Eyre. .: The address by Mr.' Jfnrtiu, and the evidence of Mrs. Eyre, wero on the lines of that given at tho previous trial, and occupied the Court throughout the day.